Book 5 Chapter 2

Bilyeon's First Official Match

Bilyeon shook his head left and right, searching for something intently.

"Is there something you are looking for?" Namgung Sang, who was standing beside him, asked politely.

Now, Bilyeon's needs were entirely Namgung Sang's responsibility.

"I'm waiting," Bilyeon said in an excited voice. His expression was like that of a child.

"For whom?"

"Lady Na Yerin!"

"What?"

Not only Namgung Sang, but the entire Vermillion Bird Squad's gazes were fixed on Bilyeon.

If Hyoryong and Jang Hong were present, they would have been no exception, but they were currently seated on the opposite side. This was because their relationship with him and the Vermillion Bird Squad could not yet be revealed to others.

"Hahahaha! You're joking, right?"

Why had he uttered those words, knowing he would be hit for it? Namgung Sang realized his mistake. The punishment was swiftly administered.

"Slap!"

A crisp sound echoed on Namgung Sang's head, used as an instrument.

"Do you think I, this senior disciple, would tell such a trivial lie? Shall I meticulously check if your two eyes are properly placed and if your vision is normal?"

His tone was quite threatening, and his eyes conveyed a challenge to resist if he dared. It was brimming with the meaning that he would crush anyone who did.

Namgung Sang's blood ran cold. He knew very well that Bilyeon was the type of person who would definitely do what he said.

Namgung Sang waved his hands, saying,

"Ah, no! No, it's not! How could it be! I believe in and follow the senior disciple more than anyone else. Haha! How could I possibly doubt the senior disciple's words! Who is it? Who dares to doubt the senior disciple's statement!"

Namgung Sang looked around fiercely, as if to say he was not that kind of person and would surely expose anyone who was. Of course, it was a lie. Compared to the past, Namgung Sang had become much better at flattery and feigning ignorance.

"Is that so? It's good you don't forget that sentiment!"

Bilyeon smiled brightly and patted Namgung Sang's back with a satisfied grin. Only then could Namgung Sang let out a sigh of relief.

"But how are you so sure that person will come? That young lady is famous for being an immovable object who doesn't move carelessly."

"I sent a letter!"

Bilyeon said in a tone that suggested it was no big deal. It was as if he was wondering why such an obvious question was being asked.

He was so confident and certain that for a moment, Namgung Sang, who was listening, truly thought it would happen. However, he soon shook his head vigorously.

"A letter? You're that confident just because of that? As far as I know, dozens of letters are delivered to Lady Na Yerin every day. Will she really come?"

His conclusion was, of course, very skeptical. How could such a thing happen! Namgung Sang had already reached his own conclusion.

"I got a reply!"

"What? No way…"

Namgung Sang exclaimed in disbelief. He had never heard any rumor of a man receiving a reply from Lady Na Yerin of Bingbaek Peak. That's why she was called the impregnable Ice City, wasn't she? The thought of it possibly being a forged letter even surfaced.

Just then, a loud commotion arose from behind him. The people's agitation could be felt physically. Why were exclamations and gasps erupting from everywhere? The back of his neck tingled.

At that moment, Bilyeon pointed behind him with his finger and said triumphantly,

"See! She's here! I told you!"

"No way… gasp!"

Namgung Sang, with a sense of disbelief, thinking it was a joke, and with a charitable heart believing he should humor the senior disciple, turned his head, only to gasp for air. He truly saw the figure of Na Yerin of Bingbaek Peak before his eyes.

A beauty that took one's breath away, as if she were not of this world. Within it lay sharp and cold reason. A mysterious fragrance that strangely excited people's hearts!

The men seated at the edges all stood up at once, rushing to make way for her. The crowd, which had been a single mass, parted in half. It meant to allow her to sit in the front row and watch comfortably. Na Yerin slightly bowed her head and gracefully walked the path they had created.

The men, with expressions of awe, did not forget to steal glances at her. When else would they be able to see her up close if not at a time like this? The men gathered here today were incredibly lucky. The members of the Bingbong Royal Guard led the way, clearing the path. They were people who would handle things without her even having to say it or ask.

It was precisely because of these burdensome things that she avoided crowded places even more. Therefore, her appearance to watch today was extremely exceptional and shocking.

The gazes of numerous men, which she couldn't help but notice despite trying not to, made her feel complicated.

"Don't stare at her with such a vacant look for so long. She'll wear out." Bilyeon warned Namgung Sang, who was staring fixedly without even moving. Bilyeon kindly added another warning.

"Besides, if you keep looking like that, Ryeong will not leave you alone. You have to worry about your personal safety, don't you? You're a martial artist, after all! You're too lacking in attention."

Only then did Namgung Sang jump and realize his situation. He turned his head to look for Jinryeong. He had hoped she wouldn't be there, but unfortunately, she was. What's more, she was staring intently at him!

'Ugh! Gasp!'

For some reason, her gaze felt unusual. Looking at her face, she seemed very sulky and clearly upset. Had something gone wrong? Namgung Sang could only tremble like a mouse before a snake under her fierce gaze. His heart sank, and cold sweat ran down his spine.

"Hmph!"

With a sense of regret, Namgung Sang reflected on his mistake. He vowed to be more careful next time, while resenting the senior disciple who had caused this situation, and could only chuckle with a fawning smile.

At that moment, it felt like his only remaining escape route and refuge.

"Heh heh… Ah, Miss Jin… Miss Jin. Well, this is, um…"

"Hmph!"

Jin Ryeong, completely sulky, turned her head sharply and ignored Namgung Sang, her idiot, delivering a powerful blow to his chest. Namgung Sang could only sigh deeply. He was a pathetic sight, fitting of his name.

"Ah, my fate."

Unaware of Namgung Sang's piercing resentment, the sky was annoyingly clear and high.

"Master! Doesn't the senior disciple seem too reckless?" Hyeon Un asked Yeomdo, who was watching with them. It seemed reckless at first glance to bring a zither. Among the things they learned from their master during their joint training at Amisan, there was not a single thing, not a line, not a word about internal martial arts. If they were to insist there was something, it was only to the extent of saying, 'Still, if you want to be stylish, isn't it the zither?'

Yet, this time, he brought out a zither, which was not in the lineage of martial arts of the sect, nor in the karma of the senior disciple who inexplicably inherited the martial art from that master. He did it as if to display internal martial arts… It was hard not to feel a little worried.

"The senior disciple has other martial arts, but… might the zither interfere with his use of the scroll?" Hyeon Un, who still firmly believed that the senior disciple's true martial art was the scroll, perhaps due to the fear of the Samgyeong Punching Technique, still believed so. In fact, the entire Vermillion Bird Squad thought so.

However, Yeomdo's reaction was somewhat unexpected to Hyeon Un.

"Hmph! What kind of person is that monstrous brat to lose in a place like this! Don't have any pointless expectations and just watch!"

Even though he pretended not to hear, Yeomdo called Bilyeon, his master, a brat. For him, it was a form of venting. Like a child.

If Bilyeon were to get beaten, it would undoubtedly be a satisfying spectacle, but it was even more unimaginable for that mysterious monster to lose here. Yeomdo's judgment was that no matter how much heavenly luck someone obtained, they could not dare defeat him.

Indeed, who could erase that relaxed smile etched on his face!

"Boom boom boom!"

With the sound of the drum announcing the start, Bilyeon's first official martial arts match was about to begin.

"Reckless!" This was Na Yerin's first observation after seeing Bilyeon step onto the martial arts stage with a zither. She was still trying to ignore the piercing gazes.

"Isn't it?" Dokkoryeong also agreed. No matter how she thought about it, the first-year junior's actions could only be described as reckless. He had brought something completely unsuitable for a martial arts competition.

"A zither, which is not his true martial art… That's unexpected!"

"Then, do you know what that kid's true martial art is?" How could she, who had no interest in men, know the martial arts system of a first-year brat? Especially since she wouldn't have had the opportunity to interact with him…

"Whatever it is, it's definitely not an internal sound technique." The move that defeated Sunseon Geomryong Wi Jicheon was certainly not an internal sound technique. She had witnessed that move firsthand.

"This is too disrespectful of the tournament! He'll lose, won't he?" This was the natural inference. She, and most people gathered here, would likely have the same thought.

"Let's wait and see. It will be difficult to win, but it's even harder to think he'll lose."

"Sister, this is unlike you. Aren't you overestimating him too much? That kind of kid!"

She quietly shook her head. Dokkoryeong could only continue to be puzzled. It was unlike his sister to defend the skills of such an insignificant kid.

'Is it confidence that he can win even if he hides his true martial art? If so, he's truly a reckless person.' Na Yerin's thoughts were somewhat similar to others. After all, if he was going to be eliminated in the first round, there would be no need to watch further. However, she was one of the few people within Chunmu Academy who had seen even a part of Bilyeon's skills.

In her opinion, Sunseon Geomryong Wi Jicheon was not someone who would lose in the first round.

Except for the murmurs of astonishment and the intense, even stinging, gazes of the men, which made Dokkoryeong frown, his prediction was largely correct. Having accompanied his sister for a year and a half, he should have gotten used to it by now, yet the barrage of male gazes still felt unfamiliar.

The reaction from the audience regarding Bilyeon was as expected. Na Yerin of Bingbaek Peak, the most beautiful in Chunmu, who hardly moved and rarely showed her face at any event, including martial arts competitions, had made a move. She had even shown her face at a match of an unknown rookie.

The men were astonished. Soon, the fierce flames of jealousy began to consume them all. Therefore, there was no one around who wished for Bilyeon's victory. Except for a very small minority…

However, there was one thing that Dokkoryeong's prediction got wrong. It was the attitude of Bilyeon himself.

Despite the sharp glances and envious, jealous stares of the spectators, Bilyeon, standing at the center, was utterly unfazed. He was so unfazed and triumphant that Dokkoryeong himself was perplexed.

Furthermore, Bilyeon did something astonishing once again before her eyes. He greeted Na Yerin within the martial arts arena, where almost all Chunmu Academy students were gathered. Dokkoryeong wondered why he did such a thing, knowing it would make him an enemy of more than half the men belonging to Chunmu Academy.

"Miss Na! I knew you'd come!" Bilyeon said with a wide smile, waving his hand. Did Bilyeon even know the price he would have to pay? For a first-year brat to greet their idol was an act that would incite the wrath of all. And it resulted in the formation of dozens of envious groups.

They would never forgive Bilyeon. Furthermore, Na Yerin's personal guards, who had a rough idea of what Bilyeon had done in the past, became even more enraged.

"Ugh ugh ugh! Die!"

"Hey! Cut off the head of a guy like that with one sword!"

The atmosphere in the audience became increasingly grim, and the jeers grew louder. All of it was directed at Bilyeon personally, a chorus of jeers, envious glances, and killing intent.

"There are a lot of fools here!" This was Bilyeon's only comment after glancing at the frenzied spectators as if they were mere chickens. Among the participants of the Samsung Martial Arts Tournament, there were naturally followers who admired Na Yerin.

Bilyeon's first opponent, Dan Pyeong, the Swift Illusion Sword of the Hae Nam Sect, was just one of them. He was spitting fire from his eyes. Bilyeon did not know, nor did he intend to know, that he was also a member of the Bingbong Royal Guard and a follower of Na Yerin.

Looking at his state, it seemed highly likely that he had no more than a pig's tail's worth of reason left.

"Boom boom boom!"

"Begin!"

As the blue flag was lowered and the drum signal announcing the start of the match sounded, his opponent ruthlessly swung his sword filled with killing intent and charged. From the beginning, he unleashed the ultimate move, the Swift Sword to Kill. The sword of the Hae Nam Sect was fast, and its changes were characterized by the bewildering illusions of its phantom sword. Dan Pyeong's current appearance clearly showed his determination to show the full extent of the Hae Nam Sect's true technique, the Thirty-Six Swords of the South Sea, with all his might.

He charged as if he was determined to kill him. Indeed, his speed was as legendary as the world said.

'Huh?'

Only then did Bilyeon realize that he had made a mistake after a long time. However, it was a little too late to regret it now.